Payroll Specialist - FTC

Overview

Payroll Specialist — Manchester, hybrid

12 month, 32 hour FTC Maternity Cover. DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention services across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Meta, eBay, and OpenAI.

We have been certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.

The role sits at the center of our Holding team in London and Manchester. The team spans Finance, Hospitality, Recruitment, People & Culture, IT Support and Marketing. We are the backbone of the company, providing support, answering questions, and helping plan initiatives. We are the reliable crew that keeps things running smoothly.

We are seeking a highly skilled payroll professional with extensive experience in UK and Ireland payroll processes. The ideal candidate will manage payroll across multiple entities, ensure accuracy and compliance with tax and statutory regulations, and liaise with ADP and DEPT employees to address payroll-related issues.

• Process end-to-end payroll for UK, Ireland, and Australia including tax deductions, pension contributions, and other statutory requirements.
• Efficiently manage payroll operations using ADP Celergo, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflows.
• Liaise directly with ADP to resolve technical issues, implement system updates, and ensure payroll compliance.
• Maintain compliance with UK and Ireland payroll legislation, including PAYE, National Insurance, RTI, and P60 submissions.
• Proactively identify potential payroll issues and escalate them to the ADP team for timely resolution.
• Manage payroll adjustments, bonuses, overtime, and deductions, ensuring accuracy.
• Stay up-to-date with changes in UK and Ireland payroll laws and regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Collaborate closely with People and Finance teams to ensure data accuracy and provide payroll insights.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related queries from People colleagues, leads, and employees.
• Facilitate audits by providing necessary payroll records and documentation to auditors.

• Extensive experience in payroll management, ideally within a global or international setting
• Strong knowledge of UK payroll (Ireland payroll knowledge is a plus)
• Proficiency in ADP Celergo is desirable, with experience managing payroll systems and compliance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of interacting with employees at all levels
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• A collaborative team player who can thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Available to start work in March 2026

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location).
• An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies.
• Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme.
• 26 days paid holiday (plus UK Bank Holidays).
• Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.
• Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents.
• Social and Cultural Events, with opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations.
• Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events.
• Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance.
• Buddy Programme to help you through your first weeks at DEPT®.
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients across sizes and industries; we celebrate successes together.
• The opportunity for possibility: training, development, and certifications to grow your skills.
• Global annual DEPT® Cares Month to support local charities.

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. We operate at the intersection of technology and marketing, pioneering ideas and moving fast. Our culture values being better together, relentlessly curious, and getting stuff done. We offer freedom to explore, space to collaborate, and trust to make a real impact.

We create an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively recruit, develop, nurture, and retain diverse talent. If you don’t meet every requirement, apply – we believe in fair chances to shine. We can discuss reasonable adjustments for recruitment and time with us. Learn more about our DEI efforts here.